Georgia First Amendment Foundation

Welcome to the official LinkedIn profile for the Georgia First Amendment foundation! Get to know us ... → The Georgia First Amendment Foundation, established in 1994, is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that works to educate citizens, public officials, journalists and lawyers on Georgia’s open records, open meetings and free speech laws. → As part of our mission, we advocate for government transparency, free speech rights and access to public information, meetings and proceedings. → GFAF provides guides for accessing records and meetings, open government training, and many other resources to protect the public's right to know and advocate for government transparency. → We are a member of the National Freedom of Information Coalition, a nonpartisan alliance of state open government and freedom of information organizations. → We are here to assist you! Visit our website or email us at info@gfaf.org.

The Georgia First Amendment Foundation started in 1994 and has advocated for government transparency ever since. Celebrate our 30-year history and learn why our mission is more important than ever through a new video series, available now on Youtube. https://lnkd.in/gGDm8k7U

We were thrilled to welcome a crowd Monday night (10/21/24) to our 2024 Charles L. Weltner Freedom of Information Award, where honoree Sally Bethea shared her story of protecting the Chattahoochee as inaugural riverkeeper, and explained how open government laws and journalists' tenacity helped in the fight for a cleaner river. Bethea was introduced by former Gov. Roy Barnes and went home with a commemorative cartoon by AJC prize-winning editorial cartoonist Mike Luckovich. We are grateful to banquet attendees and especially to our banquet sponsors whose generosity funds GFAF's essential mission to protect and expand Georgians' access to public records, meetings and proceedings and to practice their right to free speech. Meet our sponsors and learn more about our event: https://bit.ly/Weltner2024

Journalists: As early voting gets underway, make sure you know how to protect your physical and digital safety while reporting on elections. Check out our training video with guidance from a veteran journalist and UGA First Amendment Clinic legal experts: https://lnkd.in/gCThC-6t

The Weltner Banquet is only a few weeks away! Before the 30th anniversary celebration, learn more about GFAF's history from the people who started it all. Don't forget to register for the event: bit.ly/Weltner24

Openness aids the environment says Weltner Award honoree Sally Bethea: "Our work to protect the Chattahoochee River for people and wildlife depends on openness and transparency at local, state and federal government levels." Celebrate our mission on 10/21: https://bit.ly/Weltner24

FREE TRAINING FOR JOURNALISTS: On 10/3/24 @ 4:30 pm EST, get tips for protecting your physical and digital safety while reporting on elections. This FREE webinar is presented by a veteran journalist and UGA First Amendment Clinic legal experts. Register now: https://lnkd.in/gCThC-6t

As the Chattahoochee's first riverkeeper, Sally Bethea leveraged Sunshine Laws and the power of the people and press to create positive environmental change. That's why GFAF is honoring Bethea with our 2024 Charles L. Weltner Freedom of Information Award. Celebrate with us at our Oct. 21 banquet: https://bit.ly/Weltner24

HAPPENING MONDAY! Register now for FREE virtual training from GFAF and @UGA1stAmClinic on how to fine-tune public records requests. Noon-1 p.m., 8/26/24: http://bit.ly/GORAResults

Only ONE WEEK AWAY! Register now for FREE virtual training from GFAF and @UGA1stAmClinic on how to fine-tune public records requests. Noon-1 p.m., 8/26/24: http://bit.ly/GORAResults